An audio recording posted on the Internet attributed to a leader of the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda (AQAP) said the attacks in France were prompted by insults to prophets but stopped short of claiming... more&nbsp

An audio recording posted on the Internet attributed to a leader of the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda (AQAP) said the attacks in France were prompted by insults to prophets but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the assault on the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. The authenticity of the audio could not immediately be verified. The voice in recording was purported to be that of Sheikh Hareth al-Nadhari. A Yemeni journalist who specialises in al Qaeda said it was clear that AQAP had provided a "spiritual inspiration" for the attack on the newspaper offices, but there was no clear sign that it was directly responsible for the assault. Altogether 17 victims have died along with the three hostage-takers since Wednesday.
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